Cherry tree named ‘Royal Kay’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of cherry tree ( Prunus avium ). The following features of the tree and its fruit are characterized with the tree budded on ‘Mahaleb’ Rootstock (non-patented), grown on Handford sandy loam soil with Storie Index rating 95, in USDA Hardiness Zone 9, near Modesto, Calif., with standard commercial fruit growing practices such as pruning, thinning, spraying, irrigation and fertilization. Its novelty consist of the following combination of desirable features: 
     1. Vigorous, upright tree growth. 
     2. Fruit maturing in the early season. 
     3. Fruit with attractive red skin color. 
     4. Heavy and regular production of large size fruit. 
     5. Fruit with very good flavor and eating quality. 
     6. Fruit with good handling and storage quality.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

1. Field of the Invention

In the field of plant genetics, we conduct an extensive and continuingplant-breeding program including the organization and asexualreproduction of orchard trees, and of which plums, peaches, nectarines,apricots, cherries and interspecifics are exemplary. It was against thisbackground of our activities that the present variety of cherry tree wasoriginated and asexually reproduced by us in our experimental orchardlocated near Modesto, Stanislaus County, Calif.

2. Prior Varieties

Among the existing varieties of cherry trees, which are known to us, andmentioned herein, are ‘Stella’ Cherry (non-patented) and ‘Early Burlat’Cherry (non-patented).

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The present new variety of cherry tree (Prunus avium) was developed byus in our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif. The newcherry tree was selected in 1992 from a group of open pollinatedseedlings grown from seed of a selected seedling with the fieldidentification number 13HA431. The seedling cherry tree (13HA431)originated as a third generation seedling from open pollinated seed of‘Stella’ Cherry (non-patented) and was selected to be used as a parentin our cherry breeding program. We grew a large number of these openpollinated seedlings on their own root under careful observation andselected the present variety for asexual reproduction due to it's heavyfruit production, early maturity, and good fruit quality.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of cherry tree wasby budding to ‘Mahaleb’ Rootstock (non-patented), as performed by us inour experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., and shows thatreproductions run true to the original tree and all characteristics ofthe tree and its fruit are established and transmitted throughsucceeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present new variety of cherry tree is of large size, vigorous,upright growth and a regular bearer of large fruit with medium firmness,very good flavor and eating quality. The fruit is further characterizedby its attractive red skin color and early fruit maturity. In comparisonto the standard commercial cherry variety ‘Early Burlat’ (non-patented),the new variety blooms approximately 7 days earlier and the fruit isapproximately 3 days earlier in maturity. In comparison to ‘Stella’Cherry (non-patented), the new variety blooms approximately 7 daysearlier and the fruit matures approximately 25 days earlier. Incomparison to its parent plant, the instant plant ripens earlier.

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE VARIETY

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new cherry variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a fruit divided in its suture plane toshow flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place. Thephotographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked (shippingripe) and the colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in acolor representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofcherry tree, 7 years of age, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based onobservations of specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., with color inaccordance with Munsell Book of Color.

Tree:

Size.—Large. Tree pruned to 4 to 5 meters in height for economicalharvesting of fruit.

Vigor.—Vigorous. Tree growth reaching 1 to 2 meters the first growingseason. Growth rate varies with soil type and depth, cultural practicesand climatic conditions.

Form.—Upright. During the first and second growing seasons scaffolds areselected and tied down to increase crotch angle and help spread tree todesired width of 3 to 4 meters.

Branching habit.—Upright. Crotch angle approximately 40° when juvenile,upon maturity the weight of the fruit tends to increase the branchangles.

Productivity.—Very productive. Produces adequate fruit set annually.

Bearer.—Regular. Adequate fruit set for three consecutive years.

Fertility.—Self sterile, pollinator required.

Density.—Medium dense. Usually pruned to form open vase shape to enhancehealth of fruit spurs and fruit color throughout the tree.

Hardiness.—Hardy. Tree grown in USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter chillingrequirement is approximately 750 hours at or below 45° F.

Trunk:

Size.—Large. Measured 20.3 cm in circumference at 25.4 cm above groundon a 7 year old tree. Varies with soil type, climatic conditions andcultural practices.

Stocky.—Medium stocky.

Texture.—Medium rough, increases slightly with age of tree.

Color.—Varies from 5Y 6/2 to 7.5Y 6/2.

Branches:

Size.—Medium. Average circumference 12.1 cm at 1.2 meters above ground.

Surface texture.—Smooth on new growth, becomes medium rough on maturegrowth.

Lenticels.—Numerous. Average of 35 in a 25.8 square cm section. Averagelength 3.1 mm, increases in size as branches grow larger. Average width1.6 mm. Color — 5YR 5/8.

Color.—New growth varies from 5Y 4/6 to 5Y 5/4. Old growth 7.5R 5/2,varies with age of growth.

Leaves:

Size.—Large. Average length 126.1 mm. Average width 60.9 mm.

Form.—Varies between ovate and lanceolate.

Apex.—Acuminate.

Base.—Cuneate.

Margin.—Serrate.

Thickness.—Medium.

Surface texture.—Upper surface relatively smooth, slight indentationover leaf veins, glabrous. Lower surface relatively smooth, slightridges created by midrib and pinnate venation, glabrous.

Petiole.—Average length 38.1 mm. Average width 1.6 mm. Groovedlongitudinally. Color of upper surface varies from 5R 2/4 to 5R 2/6.Color of lower surface varies from 2.5GY 5/6 to 2.5GY 5/8.

Glands.—Reniform. Large size. Number varies from 1 to 2. Average number2. Average length 1.5 mm. Average width 1.3 mm. Located primarily on theupper portion of the petiole. Color varies from 2.5GY 8/4 to 7.5R 3/8when exposed to the sun.

Color.—Upper surface varies from 5GY 3/4 to 5GY 4/4. Lower surfacevaries from 2.5GY 4/4 to 2.5GY 5/4.

Midvein.—Color varies from 5Y 5/6 to 5Y 6/6.

Flower buds:

Size.—Large. Average length 15.5 mm. Average diameter 6.9 mm.

Hardiness.—Hardy in all stone fruit growing areas in California.

Form.—Plump, conical.

Pedicel.—Average length 25.4 mm. Average width 2.5 mm. Color varies from2.5GY 5/4 to 2.5GY 6/4.

Color.—N 9.5/.

Number of buds per spur.—Average 5, varies from 3 to 8.

Flowers:

Size.≦Large. Average height 21.2 mm. Average diameter 34.7 mm.

Petals.—Number — 5, alternately arranged to sepals. Nearly orbicular,narrows at point of attachment. Outer edge slightly cleft. Averagelength 16.5 mm. Average width 15.6 mm.

Sepals.—Number — 5, alternately arranged to petals. Triangular shape.Both upper and lower surfaces glabrous. Average length 7.3 mm. Averagewidth 4.6 mm. Color — upper surface 2.5GY 5/4, lower surface 2.5GY 6/4.

Stamens.—Average number per flower 30. Average filament length 11.8 mm.Filament color N 9.5/. Color of anthers 1.25Y 8/12.

Pollen.—Abundant, pollinator required — not self-fruitful. Color — 1.25Y8/12.

Pistil.—Number per flower — usually one. Average length 16.5 mm, stigmais usually at the same height as the anthers. Surface — glabrous. Color— 2.5GY 9/6.

Fragrance.—Slight to moderate aroma.

Blooming period.—Date of First Bloom Mar. 9, 2002. Date of Petal FallMar. 22, 2002. Varies slightly with climatic conditions.

Color.—N 9.5/.

Number flowers per flower bud.—Average 4, varies from 2 to 4.

Pedicel.—Medium length. Average length 26.l mm. Average width 2.7 mm.Color 2.5GY 8/4.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.—Firm ripe.

Date of first picking.—May 2, 2002.

Date of last picking.—May 9, 2002. Varies slightly with climaticconditions.

Size.—Large. Average diameter axially 28.5 mm. Average transversely insuture plane 25.4 mm. Average weight 6.9 grams. Average weight variesslightly with fertility of the soil, amount of fruit set and climaticconditions.

Form.—Globose. Slightly flattened at apex and base.

Suture.—Shallow, relatively smooth.

Ventral surface.—Smooth, nearly rounded.

Apex.—Varies from slightly retuse to rounded.

Base.—Retuse.

Cavity.—Rounded. Average depth 1.8 mm. Average diameter 2.2 mm.

Stem:

Size.—Medium. Average length 34.9 mm. Average width 1.6 mm.

Color.—Varies from 2.5GY 4/4 to 2.5GY 5/4.

Flesh:

Ripens.—Evenly.

Texture.—Smooth, relatively meaty.

Fibers.—Few, small and tender.

Firmness.—Medium firm, comparable to ‘Early Burlat’ Cherry(non-patented).

Aroma.—Slight.

Amydgalin.—Undetected.

Eating quality.—Good.

Flavor.—Very good, good balance between acid and sugar.

Juice.—Moderate amount, enhances flavor.

Brix.—Average of 13.5°, varies slightly with amount of fruit per treeand climatic conditions.

Color.—Varies from 2.5R 4/8 to 5R 3/8. Varies with fruit maturity. Pitcavity color 5R 2/6.

Skin:

Thickness.—Medium.

Surface.—Smooth.

Bloom.—Wanting.

Tendency to crack.—None during dry weather, only slight tendency tocrack in wet weather, varies with stage of fruit maturity.

Color.—Varies from 2.5R 2/4 to 5R 3/10.

Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.

Astringency.—None.

Stone:

Type.—Clingstone.

Size.—Medium. Average length 11.3 mm. Average width 8.9 mm. Averagethickness 7.2 mm.

Form.—Ovoid.

Base.—Slightly rounded.

Apex.—Round to slight apical point.

Surface.—Smooth, except for ridges near suture.

Sides.—Equal to unequal. Some stones have one side extending furtherfrom suture plane.

Ridges.—A small, narrow ridge on each side of suture, extending frombase to apex.

Tendency to split.—None.

Color.—Varies from 10YR 7/6 to 10YR 7/8 when dry.

Kernal:

Form.—Ovoid.

Taste.—Bitter.

Viability.—Viable. Good embryo development.

Size.—Average length 7.9 mm. Average width 5.1 mm. Average depth 4.4 mm.

Skin color.—Varies from 10YR 5/6 to 10YR 6/8 when dry.

Use: Dessert. Market — local and long distance.

Keeping quality: Good. Held well for 21 days in cold storage at 38° to42° F. and maintained good appearance and eating quality.

Shipping quality: Good. Minimal bruising or scarring in packing andshipping trials.

Plant disease resistance/susceptibility: No specific testing forrelative plant/fruit disease has been designed. Under close observationduring planting, growing and harvesting of fruit, under normal culturaland growing conditions near Modesto, Calif., no particular plant/fruitdisease resistance or susceptibility has been observed. Any variety orselection observed during indexing of plant characteristics withabnormal susceptibility is destroyed and eliminated from our breedingprogram.

The present new variety of cherry tree, its flowers, foliage and fruitherein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soilconditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown.The present description is that of the variety grown under theecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

It is claimed:
 1. A new and distinct variety of cherry tree,substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by its largesize, vigorous, upright growth and being a regular and productive bearerof large size fruit with very good flavor and eating quality; the fruitis further characterized by its attractive red skin color and bymaturing in the early season with good handling and shipping qualities,and in comparison to ‘Early Burlat’ Cherry (non-patented), the newvariety blooms approximately 7 days earlier and the fruit isapproximately 3 days earlier in maturity.